A Boston College sports blog capturing the highs and lows of being a BC fan living 1,000 miles from Chestnut Hill.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Just not enough against Jackets

I don't get to see that many games in person. Fortunately when I do go, I get a unique perspective of sitting very close to the bench. Earlier this year at Clemson, I witnessed the team's frustration and confusion. This game, while still a loss, was much more encouraging. The guys worked hard throughout, the defensive confusion was limited and the offense had more purpose. The reason we lost wasn't because the team gave up or didn't fight back. Tech was a bad match up and just played better. I don't think we will steal the ACC Tourney in some sort of miracle run, but I do think we will end up with a record above .500 and in the NIT. Here are my thoughts on the game. Leave your own in the comments.

Likes-- Jackson playing like a point guard. 10 assists for 3 turnovers is very encouraging. He's still letting too much time expire on certain possessions and still chucked a few too many, but he is developing.-- Trapani's big shots. I have killed him for taking too many 3s, so I have to give him credit for making them today. In fact, his shots closer to the basket -- including an awkward finger roll -- were more forced. Trapani's D was also good.-- Our 3/4s press with Elmore. It threw off their timing. I wish we would use it more.

Dislikes-- Interior Defense. Southern, Ravenel and Dunn all struggled against Tech's talented big men. We were coming with late double teams, but it wasn't enough help.-- Turnovers in transition. This cost us some easy buckets.-- Forcing shots inside. Like the FSU game we too often challenge their shot blockers instead of waiting for the extra pass.

P.S. Those who follow my Twitter account know that Matt Ryan and Dr. J were both at the game. It was nice to have their support and a reminder to keep the faith even during rough seasons.

I generally agree, I like Jackson a lot as the starting point guard (faults and all) and still keep wondering how many more wins this team would have had he played 30-35 minutes a game from the get-go. The effort was generally there as well. However, the villains that have been plagueing this team all year killed them again: Sanders and Paris - a combined 25 minutes, 0-4 fgs, 0 points and FIVE turnovers. That is awful. Did Sanders get benched? Looked that way to me, unless he had some mystery injury. He had his head up his ass from the opening tip, and played some godawful defense as well. Paris just sucked. What a disaster he is. The role of a backup point guard is to not screw up, but boy did he ever, despite extremely limited action (6 minutes). Both of his turnovers were atrocious, some of the laziest passes you will ever see. But the killer was the second, after BC had made a run, forced a 10 second violation and cut the lead to 9 with plenty of time left. Paris throws that soft pass across court right into the hands of the Tech player for a run-out layup the other way. Total momentum reversal, and game over essentially, BC never really challenged again. Awful, awful, awful. One other gripe was the complete breakdown at the end of the half. BC has the ball, down 5 with 33 ticks left. Jackson turns it over on the inbounds pass (where have I heard that before?), then BC has a total breakdown on defense and Tech gets a layup with a second left. So BC is down 7 at the break instead of 5, 3 or maybe 2. Terrible execution.

On the plus side, one like is the increasing minutes of Ravenal. He has beaten out Southern and Dunn in my view (I know, hooray, big accomplishment). I think Skinner should tighten the rotation to Trapani, Raji, Ravenel, Sanders and Jackon. Off the bench: Roche spells Trapani and Raji, Elmore spells Sanders (with Sanders benched when he leaves his effort at home like yesterday), Southern/Dunn spell Ravenel (as little as possible), Paris spells Jackson (as little as possible). The starters all get 30-35 minutes a game. That formula puts the best players on the floor for the maximimum amount of time.

Harry, Harry, Harry---as I read your post, I nodded my head in agreement throughout (scary?!. I especially thought your suggested rotation was outstanding and one would maximize the potential of this team (such as it is). However, unfortunately Al insists on starting Southern and despite how poorly he does in the first half--starts him again in the second!

Paris has been awful all year. Doesn't anybody else watch this? Growing up a Ga. Tech fan in the '80s, I've seen backup PGs to backups that could run circles around him. And Sanders is destined for the Bangladeshi league at this point. He shouldn't be starting at all, if only on principle. He's "left his effort" at home most of the year. WTF? Yes, let's tighten the rotation 28 games in. The running play-by-play was nice (again), but other people watched the game. The rotation is not brain surgery...who else would play??! I could get my high school coach to figure this out sooner. Jackson is the only play-maker on the team. Period. The only one who can create his own shot. Of course he should have the ball in his hands as much as possible. Who else would do that? Paris? Sanders? Raji? This is the quintessential short-handed team. A PG out of position, a 3 that topped out, no inside presence, and a puncher's chance only if they shoot 3's like they did yesterday. GT has too much talent to lose to BC this year, b/c BC is mentally deficient in details. Even Hewitt can't screw up GT's talent edge, i.e. playmakers like Shumpert, Lawal, Favors. Having said that, the ACC kinda sucks again this year, as it has for the past few years, and BC can win its first round conference tourney game. When it's all said and done, this team is excruciating to watch, has poor focus, lacks true individual talent, and hasn't settled on who bought in 28 games in. They'll need a come-to-Jesus meeting before next year begins.

Great game vs. Canada today. Boys in the Red, White and Blue should be proud.